Observation: In Mrs. Malone's class at Westerly High, I do get the sense that the Game of Schools is being played. The students come in and either listen to a lecture, or do class work that seems to me to be generally busy work. However, the students do not act as if the class is the worst thing in the world. In fact, for the most part, Mrs. Malone's students are hard workers who do what they need to do when they need to do it. Though this may be due to the fact that she teaches mostly honors level classes. I do observe students only doing the minimal work though in most of her classes. That is not true in her hardest class, honors anatomy. These students all seem very eager to learn and take copious notes during a class, even when the entire class is in the lecture format. Also, while watching Mrs. Malone teach, it is apparent that she is not trying very hard to excite or interest her students in any way. She simply teaches them what they need to know. Therefore, I would not say that I have witnessed Mrs. Malone fight the Game of School, but rather take part in it. However, she does not take part in it in an awful way, but simply is a more stern teacher who always puts classwork first.
This is far from what I observe in my middle school placement at Exeter-West Greenwich. Mrs. Brocato actively tries to make her lessons more interesting and fun for her students. She does this through various means including engaging group work, the use of drawing or using models, technology, and meaningful class discussions. In these ways, Mrs. Brocato is fighting the Game of School. Her students are attentive and constantly willing to volunteer information when asked questions. They also seem to enjoy many aspects of class. That is not to say that every student acts in this way. There are still a few students who are definitely playing the Game of School. These students generally do not raise their hands and only do the bare minimum to get by, if that. Thankfully though, these students are the minority in Mrs. Brocato's classroom.
Reflection: In all honesty, this article on the Game of Schools has added to my already growing concerns about the education system. I am finding in my last year of URI that being a teacher is not what I had thought it would be when I enrolled in the school of education. In high school I always connected most with those teachers who seemed to really enjoy teaching, and who had fun and engaging lessons. But did those teachers only teach that way because they already had tenure and started teaching when education was different? How can new teachers hope to have a fun and meaningful career in education when new standards and new systems are constantly being pushed to stifle creativity, focus on test scores, and demand that teachers reach every single student or lose their job? When I listen to my cooperating teachers talk to other teachers, it seems like all they do is complain about the administration, standards, and students. I never hear them praise students, but only talk about the ones that are trouble. I hear them constantly talk about all the extra work they have to do to meet the needs of students that should be taught by a special educator, and not with all of the other students. I hear how they have almost no time to spend with their families or do anything other than school work. But most importantly is what I do not hear. I do not hear any enjoyment from teaching. I do not hear anything positive at all..
What features can I include in my lesson plan to fight the Game of Schools? Well, that is an interesting question. I suppose I could try acting and being super energetic and creative like David Burgess. But on top of all the extra work that standards are forcing teachers to do nowadays, will that leave me with any time to spend with my family? I do not know. If I do continue with education, I would try my best to include interesting group work that requires complex thinking and creativity. I would also try to include many interesting visuals and videos to excite them about science. Most importantly I would stress upon them the wonders of the natural world, and how amazing science can be. For instance, ins't it astounding that we are made up of trillions of cells, that all work together to keep us alive? I would do all those things if I continue with education. The problem is I am no longer sure that education is something I want to be a part of. If this is how bad our education system is now, then how bad will it be five years from now, or ten? Will the higher ups in education continue to crush creativity? Will they demand that every single student pass standardized tests and punish the teachers if this does not happen? I am starting to think that they will, and that education will never be what it once was.
This is far from what I observe in my middle school placement at Exeter-West Greenwich. Mrs. Brocato actively tries to make her lessons more interesting and fun for her students. She does this through various means including engaging group work, the use of drawing or using models, technology, and meaningful class discussions. In these ways, Mrs. Brocato is fighting the Game of School. Her students are attentive and constantly willing to volunteer information when asked questions. They also seem to enjoy many aspects of class. That is not to say that every student acts in this way. There are still a few students who are definitely playing the Game of School. These students generally do not raise their hands and only do the bare minimum to get by, if that. Thankfully though, these students are the minority in Mrs. Brocato's classroom.
Reflection: In all honesty, this article on the Game of Schools has added to my already growing concerns about the education system. I am finding in my last year of URI that being a teacher is not what I had thought it would be when I enrolled in the school of education. In high school I always connected most with those teachers who seemed to really enjoy teaching, and who had fun and engaging lessons. But did those teachers only teach that way because they already had tenure and started teaching when education was different? How can new teachers hope to have a fun and meaningful career in education when new standards and new systems are constantly being pushed to stifle creativity, focus on test scores, and demand that teachers reach every single student or lose their job? When I listen to my cooperating teachers talk to other teachers, it seems like all they do is complain about the administration, standards, and students. I never hear them praise students, but only talk about the ones that are trouble. I hear them constantly talk about all the extra work they have to do to meet the needs of students that should be taught by a special educator, and not with all of the other students. I hear how they have almost no time to spend with their families or do anything other than school work. But most importantly is what I do not hear. I do not hear any enjoyment from teaching. I do not hear anything positive at all..
What features can I include in my lesson plan to fight the Game of Schools? Well, that is an interesting question. I suppose I could try acting and being super energetic and creative like David Burgess. But on top of all the extra work that standards are forcing teachers to do nowadays, will that leave me with any time to spend with my family? I do not know. If I do continue with education, I would try my best to include interesting group work that requires complex thinking and creativity. I would also try to include many interesting visuals and videos to excite them about science. Most importantly I would stress upon them the wonders of the natural world, and how amazing science can be. For instance, ins't it astounding that we are made up of trillions of cells, that all work together to keep us alive? I would do all those things if I continue with education. The problem is I am no longer sure that education is something I want to be a part of. If this is how bad our education system is now, then how bad will it be five years from now, or ten? Will the higher ups in education continue to crush creativity? Will they demand that every single student pass standardized tests and punish the teachers if this does not happen? I am starting to think that they will, and that education will never be what it once was.